Groups on Music City getaway won’t want to miss a stop at this beautiful AND conveniently located indoor “mega mall” – Tennessee’s largest – featuring fabulous outlet and value retail shopping and excellent casual, quick-bite to full-service dining options. Over 200 popular storefronts , cafes, restaurants and specialty shops hawking everything under the sun await super-shoppers in need of an exciting vacation-time spree! Enhance that tired travel wardrobe, do a little window shopping and browsing, pick up perfect gifts for friends and family back home or follow your nose to some fantastic foodstuffs! When you’ve shopped til you can shop no more and possibly even saved more than you ever imagined in spite of it, and that yummy dinner needs to make room for dessert, Regal Cinemas/IMAX theater serves up BIG-screen entertainment almost certain to leave you craving something sweetly satisfying post-popcorn: how about a stop by Marble Slab Creamery, where freshly baked waffle cone perfumes the air around you as you make that all-important decision: one scoop, or two?

The Pentagon, also known as Department of Defense headquarters, is located in Washington, D.C. The location is considered to be one of the world’s largest office buildings. Tours are offered and dynamically highlight the respective missions of the five Armed Services, the office of the Secretary of Defense and the joint staff. There is a 60-minute presentation that will include a 1.49 mile walk through the building. The group will view: colorful displays, historic photographs depicting significant moments in military history, including the 9/11 Memorial Chapel. The building was constructed at the start of World War II to bring all offices of what was then termed—the department of war together in a single building. The location now contains offices for the departments of the Army, Air Force, and navy, and the office of the Secretary of Defense. Leaders of the United States military have played critical roles in American foreign policy and military operations abroad—from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Iraq Wars.

The Zoological Park, also known as the National Zoo, is located in Washington, D.C. The zoo is 163 acres and will take several hours for the group to see all of the featured animals and exhibits. There are various animals that are located outdoors for visitors to observe. These include: sloth bears, seals, giant pandas, great cats, and sea lions. The zoo has a new exhibit featuring 58 different species all coexisting peacefully under a brightly colored, open-air pavilion. It is called the Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel. The exhibit features some beloved endangered species including: giant pandas, Komodo dragons, and cheetahs. The attraction will be fun for all ages! Other exhibits include Amazonia, Asian Trail, American Trail, and Primates. Amazonia features a living tropical forest, home to free-ranging animals, and a large aquarium in which dozens of fish species swim. While on the Asian Trail, the group will observe seven species including the following: fishing cats, red pandas, sloth bears, clouded leopards, Asian small-clawed otters, a Japanese giant salamander, and giant pandas. Guided tours are also available along with programs offered by rangers.

Groups visiting Music City in the warmer months will certainly welcome a chance to take a little break from sightseeing to beat that sticky Southern summertime heat, and Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort has just the ticket! A wonderful world of wet and whacky watery entertainment awaits guests at the resort’s fabulous family waterpark, situated on the scenic shores of 14,200 acre J. Percy Priest Lake. Ride the wicked waves of Breaker Bay, kick back and stay cool on Castaway Creek Lazy River, go all kamikaze at Kowabunga Beach, and cool off quick under the Giant Bucket of Fun! No fewer than eight water slides stand ready to take your breath away, turn your tummy inside out and tickle your “funny”-bone eight ways to Wednesday with zig-zags, body slides, tube rides, free falls and vertical drops certain to satisfy guests of all sizes, from timid types to waterslide warriors. Go for a swim in crystal clear Suntan Lagoon, the facility’s largest pool with a breathtaking view of the Lake, or hop the crazy Banana Boat and zip across the water; jet ski, canoe, kayak, pontoon, paddle boat, and board rentals are also available by the hour or day – something for everyone! The park hosts a variety of special events throughout the season – Drive In Movies, Homeschool Week, Fish Family Fun Day, Hometown Heroes, Military Days, Duck Splash and more – be sure to check with your Exploring America team when planning your great Nashville getaway to see what’s happening when you’re in town!